Category Archives: Local News
Fire damages vacant home in Centralia
All available Centralia City Firemen were called to a fire in a vacant house at 215 West Second Street late Monday night. Fire officials say the home had been vacant since a fire a few years ago. Flam...
Sep 14, 2021
Centralia City Council approves program for BCMW to provide assistance in paying water and sewer bills
The Centralia City Council has approved an agreement with the social service agency BCMW to help those struggling to pay their city water and sewer bills. City Manager Scott Randall doesn't see any do...
Sep 14, 2021 Lydia Kangas of Centralia is presented a new laptop computer at Monday night's Centralia City Council meeting by Assistant City Manager Derek Sherman (center) and Greg Sutton of Castle Ridge. She was among those who pre-registered and then attended the recent Centralia Job Expo. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Three face new burglary charges in Marion County Court
Three people arrested over the weekend were formally charged in Marion County Court with burglary offenses. 34-year-old Alexander Brown-Bergman of Maplewood Avenue in Salem and 24-year-old Timothy Sul...
Sep 14, 2021 Those charged with burglary in Marion County Court on Monday (left to right) Timothy Sullens, Alexander Brown-Bergman and Trevor Langford.
Centralia man charged with failure to register as sex offender
A 22-year-old Centralia man has been charged in Marion County Court with failure to register as a sex offender. Dawson Coughlin of North Hickory faces an extended term sentence if found guilty includi...
Sep 14, 2021
Former US Senator and State Comptroller Roland Burris has street named for him in his hometown
Stories and photos by Austin Williams The dedication of the newly named Roland Burris Way was held on Saturday, with honoree Roland Burris, Mayor Bryan Kuder and city council members, and a crowd of o...
Sep 13, 2021 Centralia Mayor Bryan Kuder (left) gets reaction from former U.S. Senator and State Comptroller Roland Burris on a section of North Maple Street being named 'Roland Burris Way'. Photo by Austin Williams.
Return of Antique Power Days deemed a success
An estimated 4,000 attended the annual Antique Power Days at the Marion County Fairgrounds over the weekend. Club officer Sean Earle says they had about 400 antique tractors and other old-time farm ma...
Sep 13, 2021 Allis Chalmers tractors were the featured brand at Antique Power Days at the Marion County Fair this weekend. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Salem Super Cruise draws 70 entries
The Salem Super Cruise drew 70 entries on Saturday for the show held behind the Super Eight Motel and the cruise through town. Ken Carpenter organized the event again this year. "Had a lot of foot tra...
Sep 13, 2021
Intermittent lane closures on I-57 in Southern Marion County this week
The Illinois Department of Transportation has announced lane closures on northbound I-57 between the Jefferson County line and Illinois Route 161 (exit 109) now through Friday. All entrance and exit r...
Sep 13, 2021
9-11 remembered in Memorial program at Bryan-Bennett Library in Salem
Several area political leaders questioned if we have forgotten 9-11 during a Memorial Service held Saturday at the Salem Bryan-Bennett Library. State Senator Jason Plummer recalled how close the count...
Sep 13, 2021 State Senator Jason Plumber was one of the speakers at the Salem Bryan-Bennett Library Memorial Day Service. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Salem Fire Protection District remembers 9-11 with 5K run and Memorial Service
The Salem Fire Protection District remembered 9-11 twenty years later with a 5K run and Memorial Service on Saturday. Fire Department Lieutenant Ryan Decker says the 160 who participated in the walk a...
Sep 13, 2021 Salem Firefighters in full gear walk the steps it took New York first responders to reach the victims of 9-11 during the 2021 ceremony. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
